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Hundreds of species of wildlife live on private, agricultural land. As a result, farmers and ranchers are environmental stewards, as maintaining their land to support agriculture also plays a key role in providing wildlife ecosystems in addition to feeding Florida and the world.   Many producers implement best management practices on their farms, which helps keep [&#8230;]

Hundreds of species of wildlife live on private, agricultural land. As a result, farmers and ranchers are environmental stewards, as maintaining their land to support agriculture also plays a key role in providing wildlife ecosystems in addition to feeding Florida and the world.  
Many producers implement best management practices on their farms, which helps keep our state’s water and air clean. They do this even though they’re not compensated for their additional efforts that benefit Florida. Why? Because they love the land, and it’s the right thing to do.  
Agricultural producers have a vested interest in a healthy environment. Without it, their farms are less successful, and communities eat less food. You might say farmers are the original environmentalists. 
Some farmers even create and/or preserve natural habitats on their land, supporting wildlife and pollinators and contributing to the overall ecological balance. Others work closely with the <a href="https://floridawildlifecorridor.org/">Florida Wildlife Corridor</a> to allow natural movement of wildlife through their fields and pastures.  
That’s why it’s critical to develop a system to quantify and put a value on those benefits derived from Florida’s agricultural lands – a concept known as “ecosystem services.”  
There are plenty of examples of what nature can provide. 
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">A mature tree produces 260 pounds of oxygen and can absorb more than 48 pounds of carbon dioxide each year. Two mature trees provide enough oxygen for a family of four. </li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">Soil on farmlands absorbs water from rain or irrigation. This, in turn, provides recharge of ground water. </li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1">When driving down the highways, you can enjoy the beauty of the fields and pastures.  </li>
</ul>
Not only do agricultural lands and their owners provide environmental benefits, UF/IFAS scientists use various methods to calculate the economic value of natural resources.to better understand the benefits that well-managed farms, ranches and marine resources contribute to the state. This could include conserving wildlife, saving fresh water, preserving animals that offer pest control, protecting shorelines and managing fisheries.  
Now, UF/IFAS is using artificial intelligence to more accurately calculate environmental benefits. Scientists will use wide-ranging datasets to quantify and assign a value to many environmental benefits, including: 
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559682&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1">Reduced erosion, soil rehabilitation, nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration. </li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559682&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="5" data-aria-level="1">Maintain systems for delivery of water quantity and quality. </li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559682&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="6" data-aria-level="1">Preserve habitats that support Florida wildlife and imperiled plant species. </li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559682&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="7" data-aria-level="1">Maintain the productivity of agricultural livestock systems. </li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559682&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="8" data-aria-level="1">Living shorelines to protect areas in paths of storms. </li>
</ul>
Farmers, ranchers and fish managers – among others who make their living in agriculture – put their livelihoods on the line every day to put food on our tables. But they’re also deeply concerned about how they can help preserve our natural resources, whether those are plants, wildlife or shorelines. That’s why it’s critical to quantify the value of their environmental conservation efforts. 
Click any of this link for more information about <a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FA252">values of ecosystem services</a> or on this link for more <a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/ecosystems">detailed explanations of ecosystem services</a>. 
###

Hundreds of species of wildlife live on private, agricultural land. As a result, farmers and ranchers are environmental stewards, as maintaining their land to support agriculture also plays a key role in providing wildlife ecosystems in addition to feeding Florida and the world.  
Many producers implement best management practices on their farms, which helps keep our state’s water and air clean. They do this even though they’re not compensated for their additional efforts that benefit Florida. Why? Because they love the land, and it’s the right thing to do.  
Agricultural producers have a vested interest in a healthy environment. Without it, their farms are less successful, and communities eat less food. You might say farmers are the original environmentalists. 
Some farmers even create and/or preserve natural habitats on their land, supporting wildlife and pollinators and contributing to the overall ecological balance. Others work closely with the Florida Wildlife Corridor to allow natural movement of wildlife through their fields and pastures.  
That’s why it’s critical to develop a system to quantify and put a value on those benefits derived from Florida’s agricultural lands – a concept known as “ecosystem services.”  
There are plenty of examples of what nature can provide. 
A mature tree produces 260 pounds of oxygen and can absorb more than 48 pounds of carbon dioxide each year. Two mature trees provide enough oxygen for a family of four. 
Soil on farmlands absorbs water from rain or irrigation. This, in turn, provides recharge of ground water. 
When driving down the highways, you can enjoy the beauty of the fields and pastures.  
Not only do agricultural lands and their owners provide environmental benefits, UF/IFAS scientists use various methods to calculate the economic value of natural resources.to better understand the benefits that well-managed farms, ranches and marine resources contribute to the state. This could include conserving wildlife, saving fresh water, preserving animals that offer pest control, protecting shorelines and managing fisheries.  
Now, UF/IFAS is using artificial intelligence to more accurately calculate environmental benefits. Scientists will use wide-ranging datasets to quantify and assign a value to many environmental benefits, including: 
Reduced erosion, soil rehabilitation, nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration. 
Maintain systems for delivery of water quantity and quality. 
Preserve habitats that support Florida wildlife and imperiled plant species. 
Maintain the productivity of agricultural livestock systems. 
Living shorelines to protect areas in paths of storms. 
Farmers, ranchers and fish managers – among others who make their living in agriculture – put their livelihoods on the line every day to put food on our tables. But they’re also deeply concerned about how they can help preserve our natural resources, whether those are plants, wildlife or shorelines. That’s why it’s critical to quantify the value of their environmental conservation efforts. 
Click any of this link for more information about values of ecosystem services or on this link for more detailed explanations of ecosystem services. 
###

Hundreds of species of wildlife live on private, agricultural land. As a result, farmers and ranchers are environmental stewards, as maintaining their land to support agriculture also plays a key role in providing wildlife ecosystems in addition to feeding Florida and the world.   Many producers implement best management practices on their farms, which helps keep […]

Quantifying the Value of Benefits derived from Agricultural Lands

This November, we celebrated Wildlife Wednesdays with unique stories of gratitude for the animal kingdom. All around us, niche stories of connection, triumph, cooperation, and coexistence are tucked away amongst stands of slash pine, thickets of saw palmetto, and swampy wetlands. When we tune into these stories of gratitude, we develop an appreciation for the [&#8230;]

<figure id="attachment_25137" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-25137" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2023/11/jp-valery-UFOWWMqFPeU-unsplash-scaled.jpg"><img decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" class="size-medium wp-image-25137 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="A clear, closeup photo of an eastern gray squirrel in a deep green field. Its bushy tail is folded closely along its body." width="300" height="200" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2023/11/jp-valery-UFOWWMqFPeU-unsplash-300x200.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-25137" class="wp-caption-text">[CREDIT: unsplash.com, Jp Valery]</figcaption></figure>
This November, we celebrated Wildlife Wednesdays with <a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/tag/stories_of_gratitude/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">unique stories of gratitude</a> for the animal kingdom. All around us, niche stories of connection, triumph, cooperation, and coexistence are tucked away amongst stands of slash pine, thickets of saw palmetto, and swampy wetlands. When we tune into these stories of gratitude, we develop an appreciation for the complex lives of the wildlife that live alongside us, and recognize our own place in the web of life.
From <a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/2023/11/01/stories-of-gratitude-turkey-vultures/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">turkey vultures that help reduce carbon emissions</a>, to <a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/2023/11/08/stories-of-gratitude-the-opossum/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">North America’s only marsupial mammal</a>, we explored the stories of animals that give us a few reasons to thank the wild, wacky world of wildlife. In the previous blog, we learned how mesopredators like red and gray foxes help maintain balance in our ecosystems. Be sure to check out <a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/2023/11/22/stories-of-gratitude-foxes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">this blog</a> and others from this <a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/tag/stories_of_gratitude/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">month-long series</a>, and continue reading for our final story of gratitude this month.
<figure id="attachment_25155" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-25155" style="width: 225px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2023/11/Zahir-baby-squirrel-scaled.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-25155 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="Two hands hold a young baby squirrel with its eyes still closed." width="225" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2023/11/Zahir-baby-squirrel-225x300.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-25155" class="wp-caption-text">Eastern gray squirrels can have around two litters per year. At approximately four weeks old, their eyes open.</figcaption></figure>
<h3>The &#8220;squirrel next door&#8221;</h3>
Despite being one of our most conspicuous and common mammals, the Eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is often overlooked, their fascinating lives hidden in plain sight. This rodent species is equipped with a variety of adaptations and quirky behaviors that help them survive in their environment.
Their large eyes—often described as &#8220;beady&#8221;—allow for the keen vision needed to keep watch for lurking predators, of which there are many. Squirrels are important prey animals for a variety of raptors, such as hawks and owls, as well as snakes, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, and more.
<h3>Outspoken squirrels</h3>
When a predator does get too close, Eastern gray squirrels will make sure that everyone knows. If you have ever found yourself suddenly within a squirrel&#8217;s &#8220;personal space,&#8221; chances are you have heard their unique vocalizations and seen the quick swishing of their tail as they bravely and intently watch your every move. Squirrels communicate through the use of vocalizations, visual cues and body language, as well as through scent. They can even detect potential danger in an area by catching a whiff of another squirrel&#8217;s elevated stress levels.
<h3>Save some for later!</h3>
<figure id="attachment_25143" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-25143" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2023/11/tl-strot-e8wdQ32ub5k-unsplash-scaled.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-25143 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="An eastern gray squirrel clings vertically to a tree, with a nut in its mouth." width="300" height="200" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2023/11/tl-strot-e8wdQ32ub5k-unsplash-300x200.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-25143" class="wp-caption-text">[CREDIT: unsplash.com, TL Strot]</figcaption></figure>
Acting as prey for other animal species isn&#8217;t the only contribution that the Eastern gray squirrel makes to its environment. In areas where food sources may be limited during certain seasons, these clever seed savers bury or cache a variety of nuts and seeds just below ground, in various locations. While squirrels are able to remember where they have buried  most of their own stash, some nuts and seeds will remain unrecovered, seeding the next generation of vital tree species, such as the Southern live oak (Quercus virginiana).
The acorns produced by those successful Southern live oaks when they grow up will continue to feed Eastern gray squirrels and a variety of other wildlife. This iconic tree&#8217;s spreading canopy also provides humans with a cool respite on hot, summer days. In addition to acorns and other nuts and seeds, Eastern gray squirrels will also eat bark, berries, and the occasional mushroom.
<h3>Trained acrobats</h3>
<figure id="attachment_25141" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-25141" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2023/11/saori-oya-qcfLu3jniuc-unsplash-scaled.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-25141 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="An Eastern gray squirrel clings to a tree with its sharp claws and arms and legs spread wide like a starfish." width="300" height="200" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2023/11/saori-oya-qcfLu3jniuc-unsplash-300x200.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-25141" class="wp-caption-text">[CREDIT: unsplash.com, Saori Oya]</figcaption></figure>
Gray squirrels could give any circus performer a run for their money. The next time you encounter one of these acrobats, take some time to appreciate their grace and agility, as they make daring leaps from branch to branch. An Eastern gray squirrel&#8217;s sharp claws allow them to cling securely to the bark of trees, and their specially adapted legs allow their feet to turn backwards, enabling them to climb headfirst down a tree.
<h3>Coexisting with Eastern gray squirrels</h3>
As you may have come to realize, each animal has its own place and purpose in the ecosystems within which they live. It is important that we learn to coexist with them, and adopt best practices in and around our homes to decrease the potential for unpleasant interactions. Common concerns with gray squirrels include nesting in attics and the use of bird feeders by squirrels. Check out t<a href="https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/mammals/land/squirrels/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">his video</a> from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to learn how you can discourage squirrels from nesting in your home and utilizing your bird feeders.
<h3>Thank you!</h3>
Thank you for following along with us this month. Florida&#8217;s wildlife lead very fascinating lives that often intersect with our own. Although November is coming to a close, making time for moments of gratitude is a practice that can be applied at any time, and can help deepen our sense of place and connection to the natural world.
Missed one of this series&#8217; stories? Visit this link to find all of the blogs in the <a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/tag/stories_of_gratitude/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stories of Gratitude for the World of Wildlife</a> series. Interested in learning more about wildlife? For a whole collection of free educational resources about Florida’s fascinating wildlife species, visit our <a href="https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasota/natural-resources/ecology-and-natural-resources/florida-wildlife/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&#8220;Florida Wildlife&#8221; webpage.</a>

[CREDIT: unsplash.com, Jp Valery]
This November, we celebrated Wildlife Wednesdays with unique stories of gratitude for the animal kingdom. All around us, niche stories of connection, triumph, cooperation, and coexistence are tucked away amongst stands of slash pine, thickets of saw palmetto, and swampy wetlands. When we tune into these stories of gratitude, we develop an appreciation for the complex lives of the wildlife that live alongside us, and recognize our own place in the web of life.
From turkey vultures that help reduce carbon emissions, to North America’s only marsupial mammal, we explored the stories of animals that give us a few reasons to thank the wild, wacky world of wildlife. In the previous blog, we learned how mesopredators like red and gray foxes help maintain balance in our ecosystems. Be sure to check out this blog and others from this month-long series, and continue reading for our final story of gratitude this month.
Eastern gray squirrels can have around two litters per year. At approximately four weeks old, their eyes open.
The “squirrel next door”
Despite being one of our most conspicuous and common mammals, the Eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is often overlooked, their fascinating lives hidden in plain sight. This rodent species is equipped with a variety of adaptations and quirky behaviors that help them survive in their environment.
Their large eyes—often described as “beady”—allow for the keen vision needed to keep watch for lurking predators, of which there are many. Squirrels are important prey animals for a variety of raptors, such as hawks and owls, as well as snakes, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, and more.
Outspoken squirrels
When a predator does get too close, Eastern gray squirrels will make sure that everyone knows. If you have ever found yourself suddenly within a squirrel’s “personal space,” chances are you have heard their unique vocalizations and seen the quick swishing of their tail as they bravely and intently watch your every move. Squirrels communicate through the use of vocalizations, visual cues and body language, as well as through scent. They can even detect potential danger in an area by catching a whiff of another squirrel’s elevated stress levels.
Save some for later!
[CREDIT: unsplash.com, TL Strot]
Acting as prey for other animal species isn’t the only contribution that the Eastern gray squirrel makes to its environment. In areas where food sources may be limited during certain seasons, these clever seed savers bury or cache a variety of nuts and seeds just below ground, in various locations. While squirrels are able to remember where they have buried  most of their own stash, some nuts and seeds will remain unrecovered, seeding the next generation of vital tree species, such as the Southern live oak (Quercus virginiana).
The acorns produced by those successful Southern live oaks when they grow up will continue to feed Eastern gray squirrels and a variety of other wildlife. This iconic tree’s spreading canopy also provides humans with a cool respite on hot, summer days. In addition to acorns and other nuts and seeds, Eastern gray squirrels will also eat bark, berries, and the occasional mushroom.
Trained acrobats
[CREDIT: unsplash.com, Saori Oya]
Gray squirrels could give any circus performer a run for their money. The next time you encounter one of these acrobats, take some time to appreciate their grace and agility, as they make daring leaps from branch to branch. An Eastern gray squirrel’s sharp claws allow them to cling securely to the bark of trees, and their specially adapted legs allow their feet to turn backwards, enabling them to climb headfirst down a tree.
Coexisting with Eastern gray squirrels
As you may have come to realize, each animal has its own place and purpose in the ecosystems within which they live. It is important that we learn to coexist with them, and adopt best practices in and around our homes to decrease the potential for unpleasant interactions. Common concerns with gray squirrels include nesting in attics and the use of bird feeders by squirrels. Check out this video from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to learn how you can discourage squirrels from nesting in your home and utilizing your bird feeders.
Thank you!
Thank you for following along with us this month. Florida’s wildlife lead very fascinating lives that often intersect with our own. Although November is coming to a close, making time for moments of gratitude is a practice that can be applied at any time, and can help deepen our sense of place and connection to the natural world.
Missed one of this series’ stories? Visit this link to find all of the blogs in the Stories of Gratitude for the World of Wildlife series. Interested in learning more about wildlife? For a whole collection of free educational resources about Florida’s fascinating wildlife species, visit our “Florida Wildlife” webpage.

This November, we celebrated Wildlife Wednesdays with unique stories of gratitude for the animal kingdom. All around us, niche stories of connection, triumph, cooperation, and coexistence are tucked away amongst stands of slash pine, thickets of saw palmetto, and swampy wetlands. When we tune into these stories of gratitude, we develop an appreciation for the […]

Stories of Gratitude for the World of Wildlife: The Eastern Gray Squirrel

This November, we’re celebrating Wildlife Wednesdays with unique stories of gratitude for the animal kingdom. From pollination to pest management, follow along with this month-long blog series each Wednesday to learn why we have much to thank the wild, wacky world of wildlife for. In the previous blog, we learned how the iconic American alligator [&#8230;]

<figure id="attachment_25027" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-25027" style="width: 226px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2023/11/fox-7429977_1280.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-25027 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="A fox with unusual, all black fur tipped with white stares into the camera." width="226" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2023/11/fox-7429977_1280-226x300.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-25027" class="wp-caption-text">A &#8220;silver fox&#8221;. These foxes are melanistic forms of the red fox, which means that they have higher amounts of the pigment melanin in their fur. [CREDIT: pixabay.com, Angela]</figcaption></figure>
This November, we’re celebrating Wildlife Wednesdays with <a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/tag/stories_of_gratitude/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">unique stories of gratitude for the animal kingdom</a>. From pollination to pest management, follow along with this <a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/tag/stories_of_gratitude/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">month-long blog series</a> each Wednesday to learn why we have much to thank the wild, wacky world of wildlife for. In the <a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/2023/11/15/stories-of-gratitude-the-alligator/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">previous blog</a>, we learned how the iconic American alligator contributes to freshwater ecosystems and helps the next generation of wading birds to make it into adulthood. <a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/2023/11/15/stories-of-gratitude-the-alligator/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Be sure to check it out here</a>, and read on to find out more about the subject of this week’s story.
<h3>Maintaining nature&#8217;s balance</h3>
If you have ever attempted to control a pest problem in or around your home, you may have noticed that a multipronged approach is necessary. Removing food sources that may be attracting pests, sealing and closing cracks and crevices around your home to keep more of those pests from getting in, as well as figuring out how you will manage them are strategies that all work together to keep a pest problem at bay. The animals, insects, and plants that we label as pests have their own stories, purpose, and place in the natural world. These organisms often reproduce rapidly and abundantly, and their populations can quickly explode when the conditions are right- think animals like rodents and rabbits. Nature’s approach to maintaining the balance of different populations of wildlife is multipronged like our own.
In a healthy ecosystem, a diversity of predators creates a combined effect that helps to control numbers of animals like mice, which serve as hosts to parasitic ticks that carry harmful diseases. Mesopredators are predatory animals that occupy a sort of middle-ground on a traditional food chain or energy pyramid. It is important to conserve healthy, in-tact habitats and ecosystems so that they can support a diversity of predators at different levels. These often-overlooked predators include animals like foxes, raccoons, some snake species, and other animals that both consume prey and act as prey themselves for apex predators. Snakes often and rightfully receive our praise and recognition for helping control the population of rodents in neighborhoods and natural areas. However, they can&#8217;t do it all alone- foxes play an important role, too.
<h3>Florida&#8217;s foxes</h3>
In Florida, gray foxes are native, and red foxes have expanded their range into Florida, and can be found throughout the state, excluding the Florida Keys. These small canids, or animals in the dog family, are most active during the nighttime, but can be seen searching for food during daylight, dawn, and dusk hours. Both animals are also opportunistic omnivores, a characteristic they share with one of our other <a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/2023/11/08/stories-of-gratitude-the-opossum/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">unsung heroes, the opossum</a>. Opportunistic omnivores will forage or hunt for easily accessible food of a wide variety- including both meat and plant matter. This characteristic allows foxes and some mesopredators like raccoons to be highly adaptable, flexible, and even inhabit areas that are in close proximity to humans.
Foxes eat a considerable amount of smaller mammals such as rodents and rabbits, and additionally eat fruits, birds, carrion, and more. Human garbage and pet food may even be on the menu, so be sure to properly secure your garbage and keep pet food indoors. As mesopredators, in addition to the foods and animals they eat, when they are young, foxes serve as prey for larger predatory mammals like coyotes and bobcats, and birds of prey like owls (FWC, n.d.).
<h3>Red and gray fox differences</h3>
<figure id="attachment_25057" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-25057" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2023/11/fox-1927569_1280.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-25057 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="A small red fox trots along the beach in the sand." width="300" height="200" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2023/11/fox-1927569_1280-300x200.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-25057" class="wp-caption-text">A red fox enjoys a day at the beach. [CREDIT: pixabay.com, Bill Barlow]</figcaption></figure>
Wondering what the difference is between gray and red foxes? Here are a few helpful tips.
<h4 style="margin-bottom:0em !important">Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)</h4>
<ul>
<li>Bright copper-colored fur</li>
<li>White-tipped tail</li>
<li>Black fur on legs and backs/tips of ears</li>
<li>10-15 pounds, 2 feet in length excluding tail (FWC, n.d.) </li>
<li>Found in more open habitat in Florida</li>
</ul>
<h4 style="margin-bottom:0em !important">Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus)</h4>
<figure id="attachment_25003" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-25003" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2023/11/gray-fox-4424652_1280.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-25003 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="A gray fox with a gray face and reddish ears and neck looks intently into the camera. It sits upon a wooden bench. Its face is small and pointed." width="300" height="200" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2023/11/gray-fox-4424652_1280-300x200.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-25003" class="wp-caption-text">A gray fox rests on a bench. [CREDIT: pixabay.com, Nichole]</figcaption></figure>
<ul>
<li>Heathered, coarse gray fur with a white and copper-colored underside and accents</li>
<li>Black tipped tail</li>
<li>Small, pointed face</li>
<li>7-13 pounds, 40 inches in length including tail (FWC, n.d.)</li>
<li>Semi-retractable claws that aid in tree climbing</li>
<li>Found in more wooded habitat in Florida</li>
</ul>
<h3>Coexisting with foxes</h3>
If you are the lucky owner of a flock of chickens, foxes may be an animal that you are not too fond of. Because red foxes prefer more open areas and fields, this puts them in closer proximity to human communities and their animals. Gray and red foxes often meet an untimely death due to human causes such as interactions with dogs, road strikes, and (intentional and accidental) trapping and lethal management (Gingerich, 2003).
Remember the important role that foxes play in our ecosystems. It is possible to show our gratitude for our fox species while also protecting our own interests. Discourage these opportunistic omnivores from finding food near your home with the following best practices:
<figure id="attachment_25029" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-25029" style="width: 239px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2023/11/jeremy-hynes-7bRJP5C804Y-unsplash-scaled.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-25029 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="An adult and young red fox stand together. The adult fox has a bird in their mouth, and the young fox attempts to grab it." width="239" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2023/11/jeremy-hynes-7bRJP5C804Y-unsplash-239x300.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-25029" class="wp-caption-text">[CREDIT: unsplash.com, Jeremy Hynes]</figcaption></figure>
<ul>
<li>Properly secure all garbage in lidded, tamper resistant containers, and avoid putting trash out at night</li>
<li>Do not leave pet food outdoors</li>
<li>Properly secure chickens and other livestock in pens and coops that cannot be accessed from above or below (through digging)</li>
<li>Never feed foxes- this is illegal in the state of Florida</li>
<li>Remove debris and brush piles and secure structures so that they do not become a suitable home for foxes</li>
<li>Control populations of rodents such as rats and mice in and around your home using effective exclusion techniques</li>
<li>Hazing, which is the practice of safely discouraging an animal from utilizing an area and maintaining its fear of humans, may be effective. <a href="https://myfwc.com/media/1663/living-with-foxes-flyer.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">See this resource from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for more information</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Learn More</h3>
<figure id="attachment_25075" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-25075" style="width: 233px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2023/11/fox-220492_1280.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-25075 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="A red fox in a field opens its mouth wide and shows its teeth." width="233" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2023/11/fox-220492_1280-233x300.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-25075" class="wp-caption-text">Nice canines! [CREDIT: pixabay.com, No-longer-here]</figcaption></figure>
Follow these links to read more about the biology and ecology of <a href="https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/mammals/land/red-fox/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">red</a> and <a href="https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/mammals/land/gray-fox/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">gray</a> foxes. For a whole collection of free educational resources about Florida&#8217;s fascinating wildlife species, visit our <a href="https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasota/natural-resources/ecology-and-natural-resources/florida-wildlife/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wildlife Webpage</a>. Find more blogs in the <a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/tag/stories_of_gratitude/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stories of Gratitude for the World of Wildlife</a> series here. 
See you next week for another Story of Gratitude!
<hr />
<h5>Resources</h5>
<ul style="margin-bottom:0em !important">
<li>Florida Fish and Wildlife conservation Commission. (n.d.). Gray Fox. <a href="https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/mammals/land/gray-fox/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/mammals/land/gray-fox/</a></li>
<li>Florida Fish and Wildlife conservation Commission. (n.d.). Red Fox. <a href="https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/mammals/land/red-fox/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/mammals/land/red-fox/</a></li>
<li>Gingerich, J. L. (2003). Florida&#8217;s Fabulous Mammals (9th ed., L. Rabinowitz &amp; W. Williams, Ed.). World Publications</li>
</ul>

A “silver fox”. These foxes are melanistic forms of the red fox, which means that they have higher amounts of the pigment melanin in their fur. [CREDIT: pixabay.com, Angela]
This November, we’re celebrating Wildlife Wednesdays with unique stories of gratitude for the animal kingdom. From pollination to pest management, follow along with this month-long blog series each Wednesday to learn why we have much to thank the wild, wacky world of wildlife for. In the previous blog, we learned how the iconic American alligator contributes to freshwater ecosystems and helps the next generation of wading birds to make it into adulthood. Be sure to check it out here, and read on to find out more about the subject of this week’s story.
Maintaining nature’s balance
If you have ever attempted to control a pest problem in or around your home, you may have noticed that a multipronged approach is necessary. Removing food sources that may be attracting pests, sealing and closing cracks and crevices around your home to keep more of those pests from getting in, as well as figuring out how you will manage them are strategies that all work together to keep a pest problem at bay. The animals, insects, and plants that we label as pests have their own stories, purpose, and place in the natural world. These organisms often reproduce rapidly and abundantly, and their populations can quickly explode when the conditions are right- think animals like rodents and rabbits. Nature’s approach to maintaining the balance of different populations of wildlife is multipronged like our own.
In a healthy ecosystem, a diversity of predators creates a combined effect that helps to control numbers of animals like mice, which serve as hosts to parasitic ticks that carry harmful diseases. Mesopredators are predatory animals that occupy a sort of middle-ground on a traditional food chain or energy pyramid. It is important to conserve healthy, in-tact habitats and ecosystems so that they can support a diversity of predators at different levels. These often-overlooked predators include animals like foxes, raccoons, some snake species, and other animals that both consume prey and act as prey themselves for apex predators. Snakes often and rightfully receive our praise and recognition for helping control the population of rodents in neighborhoods and natural areas. However, they can’t do it all alone- foxes play an important role, too.
Florida’s foxes
In Florida, gray foxes are native, and red foxes have expanded their range into Florida, and can be found throughout the state, excluding the Florida Keys. These small canids, or animals in the dog family, are most active during the nighttime, but can be seen searching for food during daylight, dawn, and dusk hours. Both animals are also opportunistic omnivores, a characteristic they share with one of our other unsung heroes, the opossum. Opportunistic omnivores will forage or hunt for easily accessible food of a wide variety- including both meat and plant matter. This characteristic allows foxes and some mesopredators like raccoons to be highly adaptable, flexible, and even inhabit areas that are in close proximity to humans.
Foxes eat a considerable amount of smaller mammals such as rodents and rabbits, and additionally eat fruits, birds, carrion, and more. Human garbage and pet food may even be on the menu, so be sure to properly secure your garbage and keep pet food indoors. As mesopredators, in addition to the foods and animals they eat, when they are young, foxes serve as prey for larger predatory mammals like coyotes and bobcats, and birds of prey like owls (FWC, n.d.).
Red and gray fox differences
A red fox enjoys a day at the beach. [CREDIT: pixabay.com, Bill Barlow]
Wondering what the difference is between gray and red foxes? Here are a few helpful tips.
Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)
Bright copper-colored fur
White-tipped tail
Black fur on legs and backs/tips of ears
10-15 pounds, 2 feet in length excluding tail (FWC, n.d.) 
Found in more open habitat in Florida
Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus)
A gray fox rests on a bench. [CREDIT: pixabay.com, Nichole]

Heathered, coarse gray fur with a white and copper-colored underside and accents
Black tipped tail
Small, pointed face
7-13 pounds, 40 inches in length including tail (FWC, n.d.)
Semi-retractable claws that aid in tree climbing
Found in more wooded habitat in Florida
Coexisting with foxes
If you are the lucky owner of a flock of chickens, foxes may be an animal that you are not too fond of. Because red foxes prefer more open areas and fields, this puts them in closer proximity to human communities and their animals. Gray and red foxes often meet an untimely death due to human causes such as interactions with dogs, road strikes, and (intentional and accidental) trapping and lethal management (Gingerich, 2003).
Remember the important role that foxes play in our ecosystems. It is possible to show our gratitude for our fox species while also protecting our own interests. Discourage these opportunistic omnivores from finding food near your home with the following best practices:
[CREDIT: unsplash.com, Jeremy Hynes]

Properly secure all garbage in lidded, tamper resistant containers, and avoid putting trash out at night
Do not leave pet food outdoors
Properly secure chickens and other livestock in pens and coops that cannot be accessed from above or below (through digging)
Never feed foxes- this is illegal in the state of Florida
Remove debris and brush piles and secure structures so that they do not become a suitable home for foxes
Control populations of rodents such as rats and mice in and around your home using effective exclusion techniques
Hazing, which is the practice of safely discouraging an animal from utilizing an area and maintaining its fear of humans, may be effective. See this resource from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for more information
Learn More
Nice canines! [CREDIT: pixabay.com, No-longer-here]
Follow these links to read more about the biology and ecology of red and gray foxes. For a whole collection of free educational resources about Florida’s fascinating wildlife species, visit our Wildlife Webpage. Find more blogs in the Stories of Gratitude for the World of Wildlife series here. 
See you next week for another Story of Gratitude!
Resources
Florida Fish and Wildlife conservation Commission. (n.d.). Gray Fox. myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/mammals/land/gray-fox/
Florida Fish and Wildlife conservation Commission. (n.d.). Red Fox. myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/mammals/land/red-fox/
Gingerich, J. L. (2003). Florida’s Fabulous Mammals (9th ed., L. Rabinowitz & W. Williams, Ed.). World Publications

This November, we’re celebrating Wildlife Wednesdays with unique stories of gratitude for the animal kingdom. From pollination to pest management, follow along with this month-long blog series each Wednesday to learn why we have much to thank the wild, wacky world of wildlife for. In the previous blog, we learned how the iconic American alligator […]

Stories of Gratitude for the World of Wildlife: Foxes 

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